Ophthalmic equipment that comes in contact with only a patient's intact skin should undergo which procedure?

The appropriate procedure for ophthalmic equipment that comes in contact with only a patient's intact skin is cleaning with detergent. This step is essential because even though the skin is intact, it can still harbor microorganisms that could potentially contaminate the equipment. Cleaning with detergent removes dirt, debris, and a significant number of microorganisms from the surface of the equipment.

Sterilization, on the other hand, involves the complete elimination of all forms of microbial life, which is not necessary for items that only contact intact skin; these do not require such an extensive level of processing. Drying alone does not address the removal of contaminants effectively and is therefore insufficient as a standalone method for safe handling of such equipment. Disinfection is appropriate for items that come into contact with mucous membranes or are otherwise considered semi-critical, but since intact skin tends to be less susceptible to the transmission of pathogens, standard cleaning with detergent is adequate for maintaining hygienic standards without the need for harsher methods.